A device for the protection against the rupture of pipes carrying a fluid includes two or more flow channels and a closing element which interrupts the flow of fluid if a predetermined permissible volume flow is exceeded. At least one of the flow channels can be closed by a test closure in order to increase the flow speed in the remaining flow channels and for test purposes to bring about a movement of the closing element into the closing position. In this way, devices for the protection against the rupture of pipes integrated into complex systems carrying a fluid can be tested in situ to verify their proper functioning.